Celebration Banquet

Higashino Makoto left Tiamat, passed through the portal, and stepped onto the walls of Uruk.

He stood there, looking down at the city.

The city was in a frenzy; the streets were packed with people, some dancing, some singing, and some chugging wine from jars.

The air was filled with the aroma of wine and barbecue, mixed with the sounds of people laughing and talking.

Tiamat disappeared.

The black mud, the Lahmu, and the endless tide of monsters all vanished.

The dark clouds dispersed, and golden rays of light streamed down through the gaps in the clouds, falling on the city walls, the streets, and on the cheering crowds.

Higashino Makoto walked forward along the city wall.

His boots made a dull thud as they stepped on the stone slabs.

In the distance, Mash Kyrielight sat leaning against her shield, her head resting on her arm, her breathing steady.

Fujimaru Ritsuka sat beside her, her hand on her shoulder, also dozing off.

Utaha stood behind them, her black maid outfit fluttering gently in the wind. When she saw Higashino Makoto, she smiled happily.

"You're back. Is everything resolved?"

"Resolved."

Utaha nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

Fujimaru Ritsuka was awakened by the voices. She rubbed her eyes, looked up, saw Higashino Makoto, sprang to her feet, and almost tripped over her own foot.

Mash Kyrielight was also startled awake. She frantically grabbed her shield, intending to shield Fujimaru Ritsuka, but awkwardly put it down when she saw Higashino Makoto.

I was too tired recently, and the threat from the Gorgon and Warcraft made me a bit too stressed.

"Higashino- kun."

Fujimaru Ritsuka's voice was a little hoarse as she rubbed her eyes, looking quite exhausted from the recent events.

Where is Tiamat?

"It's been resolved."

Fujimaru Ritsuka opened her mouth as if to say something, but didn't.

"Thank you, Higashino- kun."

Higashino Makoto looked at her and nodded.

"You're welcome. Oh, by the way, I have something for you. If you run into any trouble, just call my name."

After saying that, he took out a beautifully designed communication necklace and handed it to her.

Fujimaru Ritsuka didn't reach out, but instead lowered her head shyly, revealing her fair neck.

"Please put it on for me."

"Good."

Why didn't I notice how charming this guy was when I played games before?

As expected, even if I'm just wearing a skin, I'm still a Servant, and this guy is a succubus who specializes in attacking Servants?

"It suits you perfectly."

After saying that, he turned around and prepared to leave.

Fujimaru Ritsuka reached out and grabbed his sleeve, a sly smile on her face.

"Higashino- kun, wait a minute."

"What's wrong?"

"There's a victory celebration banquet tonight, you're welcome to come too."

Higashino Makoto looked at her hands, then at her face.

I don't really like crowded places.

"But you are the biggest contributor; without you, everyone would feel something is missing."

Fujimaru Ritsuka's voice was soft, but her eyes were firm. She grabbed his sleeve with her right hand, as if she wouldn't let him leave unless he agreed.

Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment, then sighed.

"Okay."

Fujimaru Ritsuka's lips curled up slightly as she released his sleeve, turned around, and took Mash Kyrielight's hand.

"Mash Kyrielight, let's go prepare."

"Yes, senior."

The two ran down the city wall, Higashino Makoto watched their figures disappear around the corner of the street.

Utaha walked to his side and handed him the teacup.

"Want some drinks?"

Higashino Makoto took the teacup and took a sip.

Hmm, although it's a bit cold, you can still taste the sweet aftertaste of the tea. It must have been made with good tea brought by Novas Etier.

"You don't want to go?"

"It doesn't matter, I'm just not used to that kind of atmosphere."

Utaha took the teacup back from him, took a sip herself, and then handed it back to him.

"But it's nice to try it once in a while."

Higashino Makoto glanced at her but didn't reply.

In the evening, long tables were set up in Uruk's square.

The table was piled with bread, roast meat, fruit, and jars of wine.

Torches burned around the square, illuminating the entire area.

People sat around a long table, some eating, some drinking, and some chatting.

Laughter, voices, and the clinking of glasses mingled together, echoing in the night sky.

Fujimaru Ritsuka sat on one side of the long table, with Mash Kyrielight sitting beside her.

Both of their faces were flushed, clearly indicating they had drunk quite a bit.

Higashino Makoto sat at the other end of the long table, Utaha sat beside him.

He held a glass of wine in his hand, but only took a sip, as the taste was actually not very good.

He looked at the laughing people, his expression calm.

Fujimaru Ritsuka walked over with a wine glass in her hand and sat down next to him.

She staggered, spilling wine from her glass onto her hands.

"Higashino- kun, why are you sitting here all alone?"

Are you some kind of domineering CEO novel heroine?

Here comes this trick.

"It's quiet here, and I like it quiet."

"Today is a victory celebration; you should celebrate with everyone."

Fujimaru Ritsuka raised her wine glass in front of him.

"Come on, cheers!"

Higashino Makoto looked at the glass of wine, took a sip, and then looked at her flushed face.

You've had too much to drink.

"No, I only had a little bit."

Her tongue was a little tied.

Higashino Makoto took the glass and took a sip.

The liquor was very strong and burned my throat; it really couldn't be called a good liquor.

Gilgamesh is trying to fool himself with this kind of stuff?

Fujimaru Ritsuka's lips curled up slightly. She stumbled and leaned against his shoulder, closing her eyes.

"Higashino- kun, do you know how tired I've been lately?"

Her voice was soft, with a sweet, girlish quality.

"Every day is a battle, every day people die, every day is filled with fear. Fear of dying tomorrow, fear of something happening to Mash Kyrielight, fear of humanity's extinction."

Her fingers gripped his sleeve tightly.

"But then you came. You helped us deal with Tiamat, and you said you would heal Mash Kyrielight. It made me feel like all of this was finally going to end."

Hmm... something's not right!

Is this still the same person I remember—a triathlete, a Spartan warrior, humanity's last master?

Where is the promised chaotic evil?

He even knows how to play the victim!

Higashino Makoto looked down at that orange head and was actually feeling a little flutter in his heart.

He calmed the ripples in his heart, patted her cheek, and bluntly criticized her.

"It's not over yet, Goetia is still here."

"I know, but at least we have hope."

Her voice grew softer and softer.

"Higashino- kun, you said you'd come back to Chaldea with me. Will you continue to help me afterward?"

Higashino Makoto was about to say something, he discovered that she had fallen asleep.

Her breathing was steady, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and a smile played on her lips.

Mash Kyrielight walked over from the opposite side and squatted down in front of Fujimaru Ritsuka.

"Senior, senior."

Fujimaru Ritsuka did not wake up.

Mash Kyrielight looked up at Higashino Makoto, her eyes filled with apology.

"Mr. Higashino, I'm sorry, she's had too much to drink."

"Fine."

Higashino Makoto helped Fujimaru Ritsuka off his shoulder and handed her to Mash Kyrielight.

"Take her home to rest; she seems really exhausted from all this time."

"Yes."

Mash Kyrielight took Fujimaru Ritsuka from her and carried her on her back.

Fujimaru Ritsuka's arm hung down in front of Mash Kyrielight's chest, her head rested on Mashu's shoulder, she mumbled something, and then fell into a deep sleep again.

Mash Kyrielight carried Fujimaru Ritsuka on her back and walked towards the outside of the plaza.

After walking a few steps, she stopped and turned around.

"Mr. Higashino, thank you."

She turned around and continued walking. Her figure disappeared into the night.

Utaha sat next to Higashino Makoto, holding a cup of cold red tea in her hand.

"Higashino- kun."

"Um."

You're quite popular.

Higashino Makoto glanced at her.

Are you jealous?

"No."

She took a sip of black tea, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

"I'm just one of the mere twenty-four guardians; what right do I have to be jealous?"

She's obviously jealous!

Since it was a personality he had designed himself, and he knew how to deal with it, Higashino Makoto didn't respond.

He leaned back in his chair, looking up at the sky.

Golden rays of sunlight streamed through the gaps in the clouds, falling warmly on his face.

Utaha leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"Higashino- kun."

"Um."

"Take me out for a nice meal when we get back."

"OK."

A slight smile played on her lips, as if her earlier jealousy had been an illusion.